SIV-G has been conducting the Online Essay Contest for the Students for the past eight years in association with the Sardar Patel Memorial Trust Chennai to commemorate the Birthday Celebrations of Sardal Patel and prize distribution takes place on 31st October at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mylapore, Chennai. A report on the Online Essay Contest 2014 is given below:
It is fascinating to see the in depth thinking of the representative samples of “Young Minds of India" who actively participated in SIV-G nationwide Annual online Essay contest 2014 under the three important topics of :
1. Sardar Patel - the Icon for Integrity in Public Life
2. Essentials of Good Governance
3. Role of Citizens in achieving good governance
The participants represented the length and breadth of the country - J&K to Liluah-West Bengal, to Maharashtra, to Jharkhand to TN and Kerala from South and of course from the IITs, IIMs and Delhi University. There were 186 Registrations and 56 essays were received and evaluated by the following Panel of Judges:
1. Mr. Charukesi Viswanathan, well known freelance writer
2. Ms. Bama Govindaraja, adjunct faculty at Fairfield University, Connecticut, USA.
3. Dr. Alok Gupta, Associate Professor, Central University of Bihar at Gaya,
4. Dr. M. Balakrishnan, Lecturer, Swinburne University of Technology, Malaysia.
There are 20 prize winners whose details are as follows:
1Meritta Joy,1st MA English LiteratureStella Maris College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu- First Prize
2Sarthak Brahma,B.Tech in Chemical Engineering, Second YearMalaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur, Rajasthan - Second Prize
3Salma Zafar,MA Political Science and International Relations—III Semester,Central University of Bihar, Gaya, Bihar- Second Prize
4Urvi Sharma,M.A. English, 1st SemesterPunjab University, Chandigarh- Third Prize
5Sweta Prakash,B.E.Computer Science and Engineering – II YearSri Sairam Institute of Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu- Third Prize
6Pranav Sukhija,Post Graduate Diploma in Management-IInd yearNarsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Bengaluru, Karnataka- Consolation Prize
7Niki kumari, M.Sc. (Physics), 2nd yearMadras Christian College, Tambaram East, Chennai, Tamil Nadu- Consolation Prize
8Akansha Agarwal B.Tech (EC)Shri Rammurti Smarak Womens College of Engg. & Tech, Bareilly, U.P.- Consolation Prize
9Lakshmi Neeraja K,Master of Public AdministrationMeenakshi College for Women, Chennai, Tamil Nadu- Consolation Prize
10Pradhuman AggarwalChemical Engineering (3rd Year)University School of Chemical Technology, Dwarka, Delhi- Consolation Prize
11Arijit Gupta10+2 PCM (XII Science Stream)Kendriya Vidyalaya No.2, AFS Tambaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu- Consolation Prize
12Mugdha KiranB.Sc.(H) Physics, II yearSt. Stephen;s College, Delhi- Consolation Prize
13Vallikkannu. RMBA(2012 - 14)Karpaga Vinayaga Institute of Management, Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu- Consolation Prize
14Vanita AwasthiBALLB, 2nd yearChanakya National Law University, Patna, Bihar- Consolation Prize
15DhwaniBachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Sciences (BAMS), I year Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Ayurveda college and hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu - Consolation Prize
16Ashish YadavIntegrated M.A, 3rd YearIIT Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu- Consolation Prize
17Nupur ManasiM.A 2nd year, Spanish LanguageSchool of Language, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi- Consolation Prize
18Sagi Shyam Sundar VarmaCA Final YearICAI, New Delhi- Consolation Prize
19Sruti MuraliCRRI (HOUSE SURGEON)Sri Venkateswara Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu- Consolation Prize
20B.SuprajaB.Tech (Information Technology), Third yearCollege of Engineering Guindy, Chennai, Tamil Nadu- Consolation Prize
Salient points and observations – on the essays submitted
An interesting observation on the essays’ of “Sardar Patel - the Icon for Integrity in Public Life” is the highlight of importance of inculcating the qualities of Shri.Sardar Patel.
The maturity of addressing his personality traits and significance of current value system in Public Life, imbibing the qualities of his personality traits like a true YOGI was reflecting in the writings of the contestants as evident from few extracts as an example.
"Integrity is definitely a personal choice; it’s a commitment that one chooses to make, to himself/herself, to their values and their community. Integrity is not only this heavy word, resonating with importance. Integrity is not only a value, it is a lifestyle and Sardar Patel’s life is an example of this ethical, no-nonsense, no-hypocrisy stand. Someone who can lance a boil without any qualms, who can endure his wife’s death like a stoic, who can save and earn to fund his own studies; is truly physically and mentally tough. As he worked towards the freedom of India, he did not give ‘way to emotionalism and sentimentality’, instead worked with responsibility to ‘face facts.’ His rational ideas stemmed from his humble background and throughout his life, he resorted to them for moral support, thus achieving integrity and unity." - IRA SINGH
“In olden days people love people and use things but now a day’s people started loving things and using people. this have to change and it requires self awareness. Integrity in public life requires perfect coordination in thoughts and actions. Then we see a better future and glorious progress in this world." - SAGI SHYAM SUNDAR VARMA.
“One must absorb the story of his life and mould it to change our own current lifestyles. The name in itself is an honor. Sardar Vallabhai Patel. Not just the “Iron Man of India” but the Eternal Man in all our hearts.” - SHRAVYA GUNIPUDI.
One common factor among all is the increasing awareness of "Essentials of Good Governance and the Role of Citizens” in achieving it.
"The most interesting thrust in everybody's thought process was the role of self participation in the process of achieving such goal. This is the nucleus of the objective of our Hon'ble Prime Minister, Shri.Narendra Modi's brain child of "Swachh Bharat Abhiyan" programme. It is apt and appropriate to quote our PM's words here. "Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan" should be approached with a bipartisan spirit of patriotism". The thrust of this slogan was reflecting in the writings of these young minds, no matter where they were originating from.
''The rule of good governance is applicable to all levels from micro to macro. It is only through cooperation and unity of citizens and organizations the goal of good governance can be achieved.
No government can question the power of media because it stands for the people. At the same time, media should not misuse the authority it has over government for good governance." -- MERITTA JOY.
"If I as a citizen see some wrongdoing or violation of law happening around me, I should stand up and question the party or the authorities involved"
"Come on citizens of India, pledge to change the surroundings, your neighborhood and then you will change India and the world" --PARINATI DIWAN
"If every citizen remains true to his duties and considers it sacrilege to take steps inimical to the interests of the country, thinks twice about the repercussions his actions will have on the poorest of the poor in the country, then my country will surely leave of best governance footprints on the sand of time." -- MUGDHA KIRAN
“So let’s pledge to work together to ward off these monsters of melancholy darkness and enlighten every hut and heart with the light of prosperity, education, love and compassion. Till then, we have to march on to reach that faraway utopian land in that peaceful dawn that country is still in search of.” --URVI SHARMA
“Citizen governance is to be seen beyond new public management. It brings a fundamental change in the reform process in that the importance of state apparatuses for the development and sustainability of viable societies is being de-emphasized and special attention to “governance” is now taking over the central place that has been hitherto given to “government”. The new vision is to evolve public policy through the joint effort of the public authorities and the citizens working in harmony. Today the reinvention of the citizen is of crucial importance to public administrative practice.”
“Particularly with respect to the rule of law and its social foundations, governance reform will take a generation or more, not just a few months or years. Much the same is true of transparency and accountability too, in the sense that agency, political elite, and civil service “cultures” may need to be changed. More rapid progress may be possible in those areas to the extent that individuals can be replaced and the incentive systems of institutions overhauled. Even then, however, bureaucrats will need periodic retraining, elected officials will need continuing information on governance problems (and continuing incentives to fix them), and citizen support will be required over the long term. Here too, public education will be an integral part of any effort to deepen the rule of law, and to improve transparency and accountability.” - AKANSHA AGARWAL.
Though there are lot many, the above are just few samples of “flashes” from these young participants true from their hearts and minds.
One of the Judges from USA observed: “Kudos to SIV-G's persistent efforts in hosting events like this in encouraging the minds of young India is a service that deserves great appreciation. Participative sprit is "contagious" in these young minds. No doubt when it spreads and gets collectively consolidated at national level under a strong leadership like our current Hon'ble PM, we are firmly inching towards the goal of "Strong India" as envisioned by him”.
SIV-G released the E-Cards series 2014 during the Vigilance Awareness Week which is observed across the country to marks the birthday of Sardar Patel.
The E-Cards can be viewed through the following links:
http://www.siv-g.org/index.php/vigilance-awareness-week-2014/vigilance-awareness-week-2014-e-card-1
http://www.siv-g.org/index.php/vigilance-awareness-week-2014/vigilance-awareness-week-2014-e-card-2
http://www.siv-g.org/index.php/vigilance-awareness-week-2014/vigilance-awareness-week-2014-e-card-3
http://www.siv-g.org/index.php/vigilance-awareness-week-2014/vigilance-awareness-week-2014-e-card-4
SIV-G is fortunate to get the Messages of two Former Central Vigilance Commissioners, Mr. N. Vittal and Mr. P. Shankar and they can viewed through the following links:
http://www.siv-g.org/index.php/vigilance-awareness-week-2014/message-from-shri-n-vittal
http://www.siv-g.org/index.php/vigilance-awareness-week-2014/message-from-shri-p-shankar
On 31st October SIV-G also releases its e-Newsletter called ‘SIV-G Ajna’.
The E-Cards and E-Newsletters are electronically circulated to the Students and Members of SIV-G and also posted in the website www.siv-g.org
Best wishes
Founder, SIV-G
www,siv-g.org
